By Chung Ah-young
Staff Reporter
Why are Korean red pines planted in front of the office of the Korean president at Cheong Wa Dae? Why are the trees seen around the royal tombs of the Joseon Kingdom? Why did ancient Koreans in the Joseon Kingdom grant the second highest official rank in the government to a grandiose red pine, and even bestow a fortune on an old Seoksongnyeong pine tree? Why is the lumber of the pines being used for the renovation of Gyeongbok Palace?
``The Red Pine'' written by Chun Young-woo, professor of the department of forest resources at Kookmin University, answers these questions to help foreigners understand the significance of Korean pine trees as well as the country's culture.
This book examines the centuries-long relationship between Korean people and the red pine. The utility of the tree, which has sustained agrarian societies across the Korean landscape, has contributed to the people's world of spirituality and culture.
``The pine is the only natural object included in the country's top 100 symbols designated by the government. It shows how nature affects the nation's culture and way of thinking. Understanding the pine is the key to understanding Korean culture,'' Chun said in an interview with The Korea Times.
The professor, who has devoted himself to the protection of the pine over the last 20 years, emphasized that the tree was a driving force behind the Korean civilization.
Chun said that behind national pride was the pine. Without pine trees, it would have been unthinkable to construct buildings such as royal palaces, and the turtle ship or other warships that thwarted Japanese invaders. Additionally, Joseon white porcelain pottery would not have been created because the pines were the wood used to fire the kilns.